Shelf position-holding means

ABSTRACT

A shelf positioning and holding means is disclosed wherein the shelves are slidably mounted on vertical poles. The openings thru the shelves for receiving the poles are provided with downwardly extending tines adjacent the poles, which tines are compressed tightly against the poles by specially designed complementary collars.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,709,166

Bush 1 1 Jan. 9, 1973 s4 HELF P0s1TI0N o MEANS 2,618,496 11 /1952 Johnson ..248/4ll x 3,221,678 12/1965 Doherty ..108/106 X [76] Inventor: Paul 8,. Bush, Salamanca Road, L1ttle Valley, 14779 Primary Examiner--.lames C. Mitchell [22] Filed: Jam 5 1971 Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher 21 A 1. No.: 104 115 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT 52 us. c1. ..108/l06 248/411 108/148 A Shelf P and holding means is disclosed 108/144: wherein the shelves are slidably mounted on vertical [51] Int. CL l A47b 9/00 poles. The openings thru the shelves for receiving the [58] Field 148 151 poles are provided with downwardly'extending tines l08/144 248/4l 3 adjacent the poles, which tines are compressed tightly against the poles by specially designed complementary [56] References Cited collars UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 3,344,756 10/1967 Kelson ..l08/106 PATENTEDJAH 9 I975 SHEET 1 OF 2 CEILING/ .i mmiir FLOOR INVENTOR PAUL S. BUSH Ma: Ma

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 9 I975 SHEET 2 UF 2 Win.

3 On 0 T N E v N FIG.3

FIG.4

PAUL s. BUSH SHELF POSITION-HOLDING MEANS This invention relates to shelving and cabinet assemblies of the type wherein the shelves, trays, storage cabinets and the like are supported by tubes, rods, poles or the like. In recent years, this type of assembly has come into widespread use. For example, in bathrooms, where it is desirable to provide extra storage space for various and sundry articles, and where extra floor space is practically non-existent, they are of great utility. The extra shelf and storage space in bathrooms has been nicely provided by units which are adapted to fit over the water closet. In such units, the support poles, or tubes, are rather ingeniously designed to accommodate for floor-to-ceiling dimensions by the provision of spring-extensible portions. Thus, poles (usually tubes, such as of aluminum or steel) are made in sections and the section adjacent to one end is spring-urged outwardly from the other sections in order that the pole(s) can adapt to a variety of floor-to-ceiling dimensions and remain firmly in position. The adaptability of the usual pole length to dimensional requirements is limited; however, it is more than adequate for the more usual (circa)8 8 floor-toceiling dimension, and, or course, any length can be provided. The present invehtiomhowever, is not necessarily limited to the use of the spring-urged poles, as will be appreciated from a fuller understanding of the invention.

One example of such mounting involves the provision of specially formed brackets which slide over the poles and which are of such tight dimensions as to strongly frictionally engage the pole that, when they (the brackets) are then affixed to the bridging shelves, as by screws or bolts, the shelves are suspended in relatively rigid, horizontal position therebetween. There is no serious or fatal fault to find with this arrangement; however, when considered in the total context of adaptability to the hurried people who employ them, of which there are more and more, it is desirable to avoid bolts, nuts, and screws, which may be lost in packaging and which complicate assembly problems for the user. One additional fact is that this type of assembly requires more floor space for the poles in order to provide an equal amount of shelf storage area to that of the type with which this invention is concerned because of the fact that the poles extend outside the edges of the shelf area proper. In other words, the shelves are suspended between the poles rather than on the poles as in the case where the poles pass through the shelves.

Thus, in another form of thegeneral type assembly, the shelving or cabinetry is more directly mounted on two suchextensible pole supports. In other words, the shelves and cabinets are provided with holes through their thickness, midway of their breadth, and at opposite ends, of such diameter as to just accommodate the poles. The poles (usually two, but more if desired) are pressed through the holes of a plurality of trays or shelves and the assembly is then positioned upright relative to the floor and ceiling, at the desired location, which may actually be most any place. The trays are fixed in horizontal position at the desired level by suitable shelflevel locking means.

As will be understood, of course, the storage shelving, trays, and/or cabinetry must be securely fixed, or locked in position. As a matter of actual accomplishment, such is not a perplexing problem, i.e., the trays can be held in position by various obvious means; however, bearing in mind facility in manufacturing, the costs in the total assemblage, and sureness of acceptability by the user(which latter involves providing the utmost in simplicity and facility of assembly), together with an installed unit of strength and stability, the actual manner, or means, by which the supporting surface level is securely fixed ishighly important. It is with this aspect of such assemblies that this invention is especially concerned.

Generally stated, according to the present invention,

or the like are provided for fitting around the tines in a' manner such that when the collar is moved into position, the tines are forced inwardly and into close frictional contact with the poles so that the support surfaces are securely frictionally held at a selected level. As will be understood,.the tines are sufficiently flexible to permit their flexing the short distance between their inner surfaces and the pole. The collar is formed of relatively rigid material in order that it may transmit the force necessary to effect the flexing of the tines without itself appreciably flexing. In other words, the tines are sufficiently flexible for the purpose.

The invention is illustrated by drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a view of a positioned assembled unit as utilized generally. I

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical cross section midway through'a portion of a shelf surface of FIG. 1 and a pole passing therethrough.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through one of the poles adjacent the point where the tines end showing the collar in position just prior to locking.

FIG. 4 shows the collar and tines of FIG. 3 in locked position. FIG. 5 is a sectional viewon the line 55 of FIG. 4. I

Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 10 denotes a general assembly of shelves or the like supported upon poles l2,

, which remains'or is held upright in well-known manner.

Referring to FIG. 2, numeral 14 denotes the hole in shelf 16. Numeral l8 denotes downwardly extending tines which are molded and shaped (or otherwise affixed or milled) as a 'partof shelf-16. Numeral 20 denotes a collar which, upon rotation from a first (A) to a second (B) position, effects an inward squeezing action on the tines so that they are caused to tightly grip the pole I2, and thereby the shelf is held in selected position. 1

Referring to FIG. 3, wherein the view is of the underside of the shelf showing the parts in position (A) just prior to locking, it will be seen that a small portion of each tine is flattened as at numeral 22 adjacent the slits 24. The flattened area extends for the length of the tines. Also, it will be observed that the inner surface of collar 20 is similarly or correspondingly flattened, as seen in FIG. 5 at numeral 26, along a portion of its height. The fitting together of the parts is close, and there is only little more than just sufficient play between the fitted collar and the tines that the collar may be easily slipped into position over the tines. Further, the diameter of the orifice defined by the tines is only slightly more than the diameter of the pole. Thus, it will be understood that in this position, the flattened surfaces of the collar actually fall upon a cord line of the generally circular configuration presented by the four tines, and the flattened surface,therefore,is actually within such circle" (more precisely cylinder).

Consequently, and now referring to FIG. 4, when the collar is rotated to the position seen, the tines are forced inwardly and they then assume a circular configuration of correspondingly less radius; whereupon, they are forced hard against the pole into frictional locking position.

As will be understood, each shelf, or supported structure, is so provided at each of its ends, preferably, though not necessarily through the center line.

The illustration herein shows the use of four tines; however, it is obvious that more can be employed if desired, or less if desired. In any case, the number shown is especially feasible in relation to the diameters involved.

It will be appreciated that shelves or the like may be supported upon a single pole, as for example where the pole passes through the center of the shelf. Therefore, the present means for positioning is applicable to such, and it is also applicable where three or more poles are employed for larger assemblies.

As should be appreciated, the locking or holding arrangement described above affords the advantage of minimum parts needed, and very importantly, nuts, bolts, screts, etc. are eliminated, so that assembly at time of installation is a simple matter. Moreover, since the collar is readily releasable, shelf or cabinet position readjustment is an easy matter not requiring any tools.

It is contemplated that the invention herein may be employed with any type of materials of construction. Particularly, however, plastic materials of a wide variety are useful. Materials .such as polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, polyrnethylmethacrylate, polyolefins, and the like are suitable. Obviously, the more durable and yet cheaper materials are preferred.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pole-supporting shelf or cabinet assembly wherein one or more shelves are vertically. positioned upon and there locked upon one or more poles passing vertically throug'hholes in their surfaces, the improvement which comprises the combination of atleast two downwardly extending tines adjacent the periphery of each said holes generally defining a cylinder, the outer surface of each tine adjacent each vertical edge .being flattened throughout the length thereof; a collar of internal configuration adapted for close fit about the said cylinder and having correspondingly flattened inside surfaces, the outerv diameter of said cylinder being greater in its strictly arcuate portion than that of a cylinder tangent to the flattened portions of said collar, the internal diameter being just slightly larger than the pole(s) of said assembly, whereby when said parts are in assembled relation, rotation of said collar effects compression of said tines upon said pole and thereby frictionally holds said shelfinposition.

2. The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are four tines of substantially equal dimensions. 

1. In a pole-supporting shelf or cabinet assembly wherein one or more shelves are vertically positioned upon and there locked upon one or more poles passing vertically through holes in their surfaces, the improvement which comprises the combination of at least two downwardly extending tines adjacent the periphery of each said holes generally defining a cylinder, the outer surface of each tine adjacent each vertical edge being flattened throughout the length thereof; a collar of internal configuration adapted for close fit about the said cylinder and having correspondingly flattened inside surfaces, the outer diameter of said cylinder being greater in its strictly arcuate portion than that of a cylinder tangent to the flattened portions of said collar, the internal diameter being just slightly larger than the pole(s) of said assembly, whereby when said parts are in assembled relation, rotation of said collar effects compression of said tines upon said pole and thereby frictionally holds said shelf in position.
 2. The improvement as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are four tines of substantially equal dimensions. 